The escape from Earth is based off the movie "2012," a 2009 science fiction disaster film in which international leaders build an ark—in China—to save humanity from a cataclysmic ending.

The WSJ says "Have you bought your ticket for the boat?" has become a common question around the country and comment threads pronouncing the end of the world have been flooding Sina Weibo, China's version of Twitter.

Noah's Ark tickets, which can purchased on China's online shopping website, Taobao.com, have even become popular birthday gifts and souvenirs, according to Jacky Huang of ChinaHush. VIP tickets cost five yuan (about $.80).